The more time I spend looking at The Northside Schedule the more I’m impressed at the variety and number of bands you’ll be able to find in Brooklyn this weekend. To be honest it’s a bit intimidating to wade through the options but I’ve managed to assemble a list of places I want to be and bands I want to see.
Showcases I consider essential:
Tell All Your Friends + Flavorpill + Green Owl
Bands I Really Want To See:
[MP3] Vendela Vida – Dinosaur Feathers
[MP3] Honor Amongst Thieves – These United States
[MP3] Part Of Me – Electric Tickle Machine
** Update** You can get discounted Northside Badge until midnight tonight (6/23/10) Go here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/110717 “lmag” is the code.
In anticipation of Wakey!Wakey!’s show Thursday at Northstar Bar we managed to finagle a few minutes out of his busy schedule for an interview…
TWIPC: When did you know you wanted to make a real go at music professionally?
WW: I’d always planned on working as a professional in the arts. I was really lucky to hook up with Family Records a few years ago, cause before that it wasn’t working out so well. I feel really lucky to not have a day job right now. Hopefully it’ll last a while!
TWIPC: I’ve heard that in the past you’ve had a large assortment of instrumentalists share the stage with you but you seem to have found a consistent backing band. How’d you find them and what are the benefits of having the same people around night after night?
WW: It all started with Anne Lieberwirth. She was the first, and has been the only bassist for W!W! We found Patrick Doane (violin) at a huge open call, and he had it the second he walked in the room. Tanya Buziak and I were really good friends, and one day she started singing with us, and sort of never stopped. Our drummer changes a fair amount, but all of the guys we play with are awesome. I’ve always been a pack animal, and I’ve fought really hard to have a consistent band. With the whole TV thing, life can get a bit weird, and I need a close family around me to keep me sane. Everyone has a very specific role, and I honestly would hate to do it without all of them.
TWIPC: In your new role on One Tree Hill you find yourself in a whole different sphere of entertainment has it changed your perspective on music or performing at all?
WW: It most definitely has. The cast and crew of OTH is a huge well oiled machine. They’re all so professional, and it’s really inspiring. It always reminds me how hard we should be working, and helps keeps us on our toes.
TWIPC: Almost Everything reflects a good mix of known and unknown WakeyWakey material where do you see yourself going for your next album, refining or exploring?
WW: I hope for a bit of both. The band is much closer now than we were even a few months ago. Touring has helped us understand our audience much better. That being said, we’re living and breathing music 24/7 on the road, and we’re all really inspired to spread our wings a bit.
Be sure to check out Wakey!Wakey! and his crew as well as Spring Standards on Thursday night. A perfect way to jumpstart your weekend.
This seven piece outfit sounds like they’re from 1960′s Britain; their percussion is loose and peppy, the guitars jangly and the lyrics uncomplicated. They are, however, actually from modern day LA – well, lead singer Ian Webber is a Brit but a US based one- and they’ve just released their second album The Idyllists and a new free EP Les Singles. If you like a your music sun drenched and surfy with a hint of rockabilly then do yourself a favor and check these guys out. The go beyond your typical retro leaning group by including elements from an interesting cross section of musical history. You’ll hear some lone twangy guitar line reminiscent of early classic country, B3 organ solos straight outta dingy blues clubs and even some crisply plotted piano solos. Give both the new album and new EP a spin to find out what other musical influences the Idyllists have repurposed to create their own sound.
Thursday saw my first post go up on Strangers In Stereo a supremely awesome collective of music bloggers from all over the place (both geographically and focus). It was a review of Tokyo Police Club’s new album Champ head on over to see what I thought of the sophomore release. But first give this remix of the LP’s first single Wait Up (boots of Danger). DOM pops the percussion and distorts both the vox and instrumentals giving the piece a intergalactic synthy flavor. It’s an ideal retake to soundtrack your pregaming ritual.
[MP3] Wait Up (Boots Of Danger) DOM Remix – Tokyo Police Club
This remix by the UK’s Foamo takes a bit from Nas & Damien Marley’s incredible album Distant Relatives and ups the Jamaican grit factor. You’ll hear some retro horns and choppy percussions as the track builds to a fever. If you’re in need of a new addition to your summer dance party mix look no further. And be sure to check out the album the original song came from it is a mighty example of fine music making.
[MP3] As We Enter (FOAMO remix) – Nas & Damien Marley
The gents of Major Lazer put together a full La Roux mixtape with their retakes on the electro groups already stellar tracks. The full set can be found here but the cross of chill uptempo beats over the original song’s smooth lyrics is a subtle and intriguing juxtaposition. All 14 tracks off the mixtape are equally as interesting, not all winners but certainly worth checking out.
[MP3] Cover My Eyes (Costa Nostra Edit) – Major Lazer & La Roux
The fabulous Yvynl brought Unouomedude to my attention and the dreamy fuzzed out music has been soundtracking this week. Hazy plumes of vocals and guitars are punctuated by the clangiest of clangy percussion achieving a fascinating audioscape for your enjoyment. Check him out I’m sure you’ll find yourself looping his EP Marsh like whoa.
Everyone needs a dose of butt shaking feel good pop that carries a bit of weight every once in a while. Detox Retox can provide you with your next fix. Their second EP Movement dropped this week and it’s chock full of singable singles – Caroline being one of my favs – racing guitars and peppy drums. The opening bass line on “Too Late” is like buttah and melt nicely over the pipping hot cymbals. Now I’ll just sit here patiently waiting for them to make a trip up from DC to show me what they’ve got live.
In the 9 years I’ve been listening to DBT I never thought they would amass the kind of wide spread recognition they currently enjoy. Not because I didn’t think the gritty southern rock group didn’t deserve mass adoration but because they never really seemed to give a shit about “making it.” They’ve maintained their voice of the people lyrics and honest rock and roll grit but now they’re making videos too. This short is exactly the kind of visual statement I would expect from the no hold barred group and the perfect accompaniment to the song.
[MP3] Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay (Otis Redding Cover) live
YAWN – Kind Of Guy from Druid Beat on Vimeo.
Who knew Chicago was so tropical; apparently the men of YAWN did. The band recently flipped the buzz switch and I expect them to only grow in popularity. They’re offering their EP for free over on their site and I highly suggest you scoot on over there to nab it. But first watch this awesome video for the track Kind Of Guy.
Dream About Changing from Sally Seltmann on Vimeo.
I really adore Sally Seltmann’s voice in particularly when it carries a retro vibe as it does on “Dream About Changing.” As for the video, well, not much can be said but I want to be taking whatever she’s taking. Who doesn’t love an human chia ewokian chile frolicking in the road. Just watch it, you’ll understand.
This Norwegian quartet displays a level of theatricality in their music – and apparently during their live show – you don’t often hear outside of a theater. Their charm comes by way of fiddles, banjos, tubas, mandolins, harmonicas (apparently 29 instruments appear on stage with them) and stylized vocals; drawing inspiration from all over the map including gypsy, knee slapping americana, irish jigs, and even the awe shucks sweetness of girl groups from the thirties. With the exception of hip-hop I don’t think there is a genre or style the Katzenjammer girls are afraid to tackle. Their first album Le Pop -due out June 29th- gets more intriguing with every track, putting the full array of Katzenjammer musical mayhem on display. It begs for the full live show which makes it rather convenient that the group is headed over for a US tour i a few few weeks. They’ll be in Philly on July 9th at Johnny Brenda’s.
The Like, an all lady four piece with a distinct retro appeal, proceeded The Futureheads to the stage in the basement of the First Unitarian Church. Clad in super stylized mod shifts and babydoll dresses they looked exactly like the 60′s girls groups their music in large part emulates. Lead singer Z Berg has an an entrancing voice that volleyed between a lower conversational delivery and lighter sing-song approach. It really took on a richness when her fellow bandmates chimed in to make the harmonies pop but was plenty enjoyable as she bopped through the set. The bassist Charlotte Froom and drummer Tennessee Thomas rocked out ceaselessly the entire show. Plugging through great bass rhythms and smashing all kinds of cymbals with complete abandon gave the music its punky edge. Laena Geronimo, on keys, kept a cooler demeanor than her bandmates for most of the set. Until the last two songs that is, she too then cut loose and joined them in their merry music making. All in all, The Like made for a delightful precursor to the delicious chaos that soon followed.
Going in to The Futurehead show I was relatively new to their music, I had heard their new album The Chaos plus a few other bits of suggested listening from well established Futurehead fans. I was expecting high energy punk/pop that I could dance my ass off to and, that is exactly what I got but in the finest delivery possible. Coming off of a nearly four year touring hiatus the four boys from Britain took the stage and exploded immediately into “Struck Dumb,” the lead single of the new album, igniting the rabid energy that fueled their entire set.
The Futureheads live show is all about the speed and intensity of their music balanced by an true entertainer’s need to engage and humor the crowd. They filled their surprisingly long set mostly with tracks off of the new album but tossed in a few old ones for the diehard fans. The crowd relished in the groups admittedly silly and frenetic ways dancing along with just as much good spirited craziness as the band. Breaking between songs lead singer Barry Hyde provided amusing anecdotes and backstories for the songs. The new bit “I Can Do That,” for example, was inspired by a British television show from the 80′s that left him with an unfaltering sense of his potential that he felt compelled to write a song. All four band members were visibly excited to be back in front of an audience and it showed in the whir of their fingers over their instruments and the crazy smiles they wore as they bounced around the stage.
The guitars were hard and fast and the drums were loud and precise. These remained the constants of their show while witty lyrics and the occasional riff added some extra flare. At one point Hyde divided the audience half to do an awesome rondo cover of Kate Bush’s “Hounds Of Love.” It was one of the best attempts at audience participation I have ever experienced. To end the show they asked for complete silence so they could tackle the tricky hummed acapella harmonies that start “Jupiter.” They nailed every note of the intro and lathered it into an epic Queen-ish end to the night. The Futureheads are incredible performers the likes of which you rarely see amongst new bands. I do hope they don’t go another four years before coming back through Philly.
It’s Sunday, hopefully you’re all winding down from your weekend antics and beginning to look at what future weekend adventures await. Might I suggest Northside Festival. Yes, it is in Brooklyn but you know there are those friends you’ve been meaning to visit or that art exhibit you’ve heard great things about so, why not wrap them all up into a single trip. The weekend of June 24-27th L Magazine’s second annual Northside Festival will take over every concevable venue in Brooklyn and play host to an excellent assortment of new, known and vintage acts. I had the great pleasure of visiting Northside last year and, I must say, it not only introduced me to a lot of great new music [Savoire Adore, Anamanaguchi, Xylos to name a few] but was also one of the best run festivals I’ve been to. Take a gander at the line-up listed below and start planning your trip. To give you even more incentive L Magazine is giving away an iPad, VIP passes, regular badge and a few other odds and ends. Go here to enter your chance to win.
?uestlove (DJ set) / Aa / A.A. Bondy / Active Child / Air Waves / Albino Ghost Monkey / Amazing Baby / Andrew Cedermark / Annie & the Beekeepers / Apse / Arches / The Art of Shooting / Au Revoir Simone / Autre Ne Veut /Ava Luna / The Babies / Baby Copperhead / Bad Girlfriend / Ball of Flame Shoot Fire / Bebe Fang /The Beets / Beige / Bermuda Bonnie / Big Troubles / The Black / The Black Atlantic / The Black Hollies / Blood Warrior / Borrowed Eyes /Bottle Up & Go / Boy Without God / The Brought Low / CALLmeKAT / Callers / The Canon Logic /Cat Martino / Charles Burst / Chica Vas / Class Actress / Cloud Nothings / Coasting / Cream in All Moustache / Cults / Dana Jewell (solo) / Dark Dark Dark / Darlings / Dinosaur Bones / Dinosaur Feathers / Dinowalrus (DJ set) / The Doctors Fox/ DOM / Dream Diary / Drink Up Buttercup /Ducktails / Echostream / Electric Tickle Machine / Elvis Perkins in Dearland / Eternal Summers /EULA / Family Portrait / Family Trees / Fan-Tan / Fang Island / Federale / Fenech-Soler / The Fiery Furnaces / Fifth Nation / FLOOR / Fluffy Lumbers/ Forest Fire / Frankie & the Outs / The Fresh & Onlys / Fucked Up / Gaucho / Glass Ghost / The Gloominous Doom / Gold Lake / Gold Streets /The Golden Filter / Golden Girls / Grails /Grandchildren / The Grates / Gray Young / The Great Unwashed / Grooms / The Gypsy West /Harper Blynn / Hidden Fees / High Places / Himalaya / Holiday Holiday / The Hollows /Hooray for Earth / Hot Graves / Human Resources / The Hundred in the Hands / I Love Monsters / I’m Turning Into / Islands / Jason Loughlin / Javelina / JDDJ3J / Jody Porter (of Fountains of Wayne) / John Mulaney / Jucifer /Keepaway / Knife City (Luke Silas of Anamanaguchi) / Kris Keyser / La Strada / LE-LI / Led Er Est / Les Savy Fav / Les Vinyl / Liars /Linfinity / The London Souls / The Loom / Love in October / Lower Dens / Madison Square Gardeners / Magic Bulb / Male Bonding / Marie Stella / Matteah Baim / Max Gabriel / Me & Mars / Memory Tapes / MEN (feat. JD Samson of Le Tigre) / Midnight Masses / Milagres (ex-The Secret Life of Sofia) / MillionYoung / MiniBoone / Minks / Moon Duo / My Teenage Stride / Netherfriends / The New Deal / No Demons Here (Luka Usmiani of Fluffy Lumbers) / No Fun Acid /North Highlands / Nouvellas / The Numerators / Oberhofer / Oh Land / Oneohtrix Point Never /Parenthetical Girls / The Pass / Paul & the Patients / PC Worship / Phil & the Osophers / The Pillow Theory / Polvo / Posi / The Press / PS I Love You / Psychic / Psychobuildings / The Rabbits / Reading Rainbow / Real Estate / Red Rooster / Ribbons / Runaway (DJ set) / Schooner / Sean Bones / The Senors of Marseille / Serpenti / She Keeps Bees / Shark? / Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers / The Shivers / Shoney Lamar / Shy Town / Sic Alps / Sissy Bounce (with Big Freedia, Rusty Lazer & New Orleans Bounce Dancers) / Skeletonbreath / Slow Animals / Slow Club / The Smoking Popes / The So So Glos / Sondre Lerche / Sore Eros / Starring / Steel Phantoms/ Steve Moore / The Sundelles / Takka Takka / Tame Impala / Thao and Mirah with the Most of All / These United States / Titus Andronicus / Total Slacker / Trans (Jemina Pearl & John Eatherly of Be Your Own Pet; DJ set) / True Womanhood / TV Carnage / Twin Shadow / Twin Sister / Union / U.S. Royalty / Vandaveer / Viernes / Violens / The Wave Pictures / Wavves / We Are Country Mice / White Hills / The Wicked Tomorrow / Wild Yaks / Wizardry / Woods / WOOM (ex-Flying) / World Atlas / Wounded Buffalo Theory / YellowFever / Yes Giantess / Young Mammals / ZAZA / Zakee (DJ set) / Zapa Venu / The Zookeepers
Breakbot – Baby I’m Yours (feat. Irfane) – HD from Ed Banger Records on Vimeo.
This. Is. Brilliant.
[MP3]Baby I’m Yours (Aeroplane remix)
Lissie has the kind of voice that shivers me timbers. It is bold and brazen when she wants it to be and soft but not sacharine when the moment dictates. This video catches a little bit of the chaos in her style as well as the detachment I imagine touring cause from your normal life. If you haven’t treated yourself to a dose of Lissie’s country-ish tunes get on that.
“Gold Skull” by Miniature Tigers from Ben Collins on Vimeo.
I like a music video that tells a story. The story being told in this fantastic new piece from Miniature Tigers is way out there but yet manages to make some sense. It has the touch of electro-psych-rocker Neon Indian who produced the track. Their new album Fortress drops July 27th on Modern Art Records and if “Gold Skull” is any indicator they’ve whizzed past any worries of sophomore slump.
